Polyphenol and Carotenoid Content of Organically and Conventionally Produced Apples (malus Domestica Bork., Elstar Variety) and Carrots (daucus Carota L., Narbonne and Nerac Varieties)

The nutritional quality of food is an essential factor in a healthy diet. However, it is unclear whether the farming system (organic/conventional) influences the concentrations of bioactive compounds in plant foods. The aim of the present study was therefore to compare the polyphenol and carotenoid contents of organically and conventionally produced apples and carrots. The analysed apples (Malus domestica Bork., Elstar variety) and carrots (Daucus carota L., Nerac and Narbonne varieties) were grown under comparable conditions over the course of two years (2004 and 2005). The farming system did not influence the concentrations of carotenoids and polyphenols, independent of the farming site. The present results indicate that the farming system has less impact on the contents of carotenoids and polyphenols in apples and carrots than the climate or year of production. However, studies on the phytochemical content of plant foods alone are not able to shed tight on the nutritional relevance of organically grown products. To clarify this question, human intervention studies are necessary.